Lucidity

Each of the game’s levels begins with Sofi penning a note to her grandmother that expresses her wonderment, fears, and, in some cases, sadness. Her nana responds at the end of each level with a postcard that offers the sort of comfort and advice that only a grandma can give. Bits of wisdom include: “Dust bunnies are just like problems, the longer you ignore them the bigger they get,” and “You can’t outrun everything. Think about the tick-tick of an old clock. Even after it slows and stops, time keeps moving forward.” It’s a beautiful, intelligent, and slightly melancholy story sure to be appreciated by mature children and young-hearted adults alike.

Unfortunately, the play isn’t quite as compelling as the narrative. The navigational aids players are fed come randomly, which means there are times when what we’re given is of virtually no use. We might, for example, be faced with a steep wall and have only horizontal wooden boards and slingshots to work with. Eventually, the game begins to feel more a matter of luck than skill, and it can be frustrating. It’s a regrettable blemish on what is otherwise a beautiful, inventive, magical experience.

Online interaction: Not an issue.